The Giant Australian Cuttlefish in the Upper Spencer Gulf is to enjoy a more comfortable life from now on following the enactment of a Regulation closing taking of it which began on 1 May this year.
The Government made it known before the last State election that it was committed to protecting the Giant Australian Cuttlefish, whose breeding aggregation in the Upper Spencer Gulf was the only known event of its type for the species anywhere in the world.
Temporary arrangements were put in place during the fish’s 2022 spawning event which saw a 28% increase in cuttlefish numbers compared to 2021.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven said she was pleased the permanent change came in time for the aggregation event this year.
“Having visited Whyalla last year, I can say firsthand it truly is an amazing show of nature, the kind of which doesn’t occur anywhere else in the world,” Ms Scriven said.
“This is also opportunity for Whyalla and the surrounding regions to showcase themselves to the increasing number of tourists who come to see this incredible event,” she said.
“Once again, I thank Eddie Hughes for his advocacy in clearly putting forward the views of his community on this important issue.”
Ms Scriven said making protection of the Cuttlefish permanently should present the community and tourism operators on the Upper Spencer Gulf with confidence to continue to build upon what is already a hugely popular nature-based tourism experience.
